Each one should use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10
Highlighted in the post “Grow and Gather Strength” is encouragement towards our calling as we use our individual strengths for God’s glory. God uses all our strengths to carry out His purpose.
Take inspiration from the song You Say by Lauren Daigle to face the challenges of today. Don’t believe in the lies of this world that tell us we will never measure up but listen to God who tells us that we have what it takes. He will give us the strength we need to handle the concerns, doubts, and worries of today in order to take on the challenges of the future.
Like a seed growing into a tall tree, greatness is accomplished after years of growth and the gathering of strength. God uses all our strengths to carry out good works and each person can excel in their calling to build up the whole body of Christ.
Reading today in Judges 13, the calling of Samson as judge is different from the other callings of judges thus far because the angel of the Lord appeared to his mother. She was given instructions to prepare for her son who would be the leader in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines (v. 5).
Samson’s father named Manoah was concerned for the future of his promised son so he prayed for how to bring up his son. The angel of the Lord appeared to Monoah and his wife to give them further instructions. When they offered a sacrifice, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame (v. 20). Manoah and his wife then realized that this angel of the Lord was God.
Samson was born and as he grew, the Lord blessed him. The Spirit of the Lord began to stir in him while he continued to grow. This confirms the Lord’s calling of Samson as judge. This amazing passage today gives us encouragement to our calling as we use our individual strengths for God’s glory. God thinks you are AWESOME so focus on what you can do because the combined talents of His people will accomplish things that seemed to be impossible.
This day with You Lord, we have studied about the parents of Samson who were instructed about bringing up Samson. We know about Samson’s great physical strength but today we have heard about the spiritual strength given to his parents. The Good News for us is that Christ makes us strong. Even in our worst of days, you have given us the strength to handle our concerns, doubts, and worries of today in order to take on the challenges of the future. Amen
Refresh your memories about what God has done and be absorbed in knowing about His Word so you are equipped for victory as you go through each day. Then transfer His character into the world. This poem was written to help you focus on your ultimate eternal destination.
May He grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! – Psalm 20:4
The post “Aspire to Apply the Word” offered some thoughts on growing spiritually, being at peace with God, and being a leader in sharing good thoughts for the soul. Our writing and sharing with others gets the Good News out to the world and is useful not only for ourselves but to those that read our posts.
Author of my hope
Maker of the stars
Let me be Your work of art
Write your story on my heart
Come on and make your mark
I want my history
To be Your legacy
We have good days and bad days and that’s why there is a need to store up thoughts that are good for the soul. These thoughts may come from sermons, blogs, Bible Study, etc. or photos may bring back memories that help get through the bad days. The photo above was taken when I went on a vacation to Lake Tahoe formed from a collection of water from melting snow to create this amazing lake.
Today, we will be reading Judges 12 to collect a reservoir of thoughts that are good for the soul. In today’s passage, both Gideon and Jephthah didn’t ask the Ephraimites to help fight the enemy and the Ephraimites expressed anger. Gideon and Jephthah each handled this resentment differently. Gideon explained to them that they had done just as much as he had done to defeat the Midianites. This seemed to make them happy. Jephthah on the other hand, told them that he did ask for their help but they didn’t respond. This did not quell their anger so they ended up fight against each other.
Throughout the history of Israel, they depended on good judges but there was a negative impact when a corrupt judge assumed leadership over the nation. It usually resulted in instability because the people were turned away from God. Rather than being dependent on the leadership of another person for spiritual stability, we should understand God’s Word so that we are each led by the Truth.
The take away for me in today’s passage is to allow for a way so that all can grow growing spiritually, be at peace with God, and admired by others. Aspire to apply the Word and become a leader by writing about how God’s Word can lead to achievement in your calling. Get the Good News out by working towards gaining followers that can help you and those around you.
Lord … we have good days and bad days but we gain each day a reservoir of good thoughts that provide for spiritual growth. We aspire to apply Your Word as we set aside this time for study and prayer. We feel Your presence and seek guidance for the tasks that need to be accomplished today. Amen.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 